I could cite you a VERY long list of authors who did poorly in school. If I did my job as an editor, you'll never know who they are unless I call them out by name. And I won't. Probably because I can't remember them all.

(I'm joking. Editor/author confidentiality protects them, even if it exists only in my imagination.)

Our emailer then mentions that her friends laugh at her when she tells them she intends to write. Why does she care? I've lost count of how many projects I've undertaken despite criticism. Not just writing, either. Life. But let me narrow my focus just so I can end this rant.

You have a reason for writing. You know what it is, even if you can't put it into words. I can't put it into words. ("It" can mean your reason OR mine in that sentence.) But it's there. Why do you give a rat's backside how many people tell you not to even try? People who I doubt have even read your writing, I might add.

Your classmates won't understand why you write. Nor your friends. Nor your family. You're lucky if you find ten non-writers in your lifetime who have a clue. And you don't care. You just write.

If you're ever lucky enough to "arrive," then all doubters will claim to understand why you write. And they'll all be wrong.

Also, by time someone out there is embracing your work, you'll already be three books beyond it and sick of hearing about your old trash. No, it won't be trash, but you'll think of it that way. There's a big time lapse between creation and that Oprah interview.

What I never write to those emailers is this. I shouldn't have to tell you why you write. You don't need my vindication or anyone else's. If those who haven't even read your work can discourage you, maybe you should give up. Or do an Emily Dickinson and leave it all for people to find after you die.

But I can tell you this. If you'll let something as silly as your grades back in school stop you from even beginning to write in first place, nothing you have to write is worth finding after you die. And if you're angry at me for saying it, good. Prove me wrong. Write a book.

If, as a writer, you decide to try your hand at a biography, there is only one key word, one mantra, one road to follow - and that is research. Research in form of reading, interviewing, asking questions at old haunts and favorite places is a concrete base to work from.

It is eating in same cafe, walking same path, and placing yourself along same riverbank to get "feeling" of what your subject saw and why that vision may or may not have had a profound effect. While no author can keep their own emotions, their own personality out of their writing, urge to transpose your individuality into a segment will only take away from that of subject individual. Your goal is to gain insight into where to hunt, who to track down, and to answer question of "why."

While all lives protect their right to privacy, any invastion of this right should always be done discreetly and with only highest intentions. We are all gathered on same planet we call home.

Even with all best of modern science and inventions, passing on a story, relating events, and enabling others to hear from those they cannot reach on an individual basis, is still best way to learn, discern, and gain wisdom. Storytelling will always be with us no matter now advanced civilization becomes and whether it is verbally or in print, this form of communication has withstood test of time itself and in its steadfastness there is security that it will continue on. ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2005 January For more articles and ideas please visit Arleen's Site at: http://www.arleenssite.com